Sure you can, if that's how the software is supposed to work.
Self modifying executable software without any user intervention is far worse problem that the one you are trying to solve.
If a power failiure or error occurs during the install it could cause serious problems and data loss.
Then maybe they should figure out how to make updates that don't do that...which would be a good thing anyway.
You can't do that either; as soon as the software updater starts to write and the power goes off the end user could have a big problem including corrupted data, unbootable system, damaged HDs etc.
There are many people in the world on key meters (not a bill for electricity) that means if you don't keep it topped up it just goes off until you buy more. A software update should always take place at the time of the end user's choosing therefore.
Hardware damage from a security patch? I think you exaggerate...
Not neccessarily from a security patch, but certainely a software update could in theory damage hardware yes, easily. I would call some of Apple's updates capable of hardware damage. But it would be very possible to write a malupdater say for graphics drivers which fried the graphics card by over clocking.
But even if it didn't fry the hardware or the electric didn't cut out during the install you are trusting the vendor of said update 100% to produce a flawless update, which would be wrong.
Like someone's machine being hijacked anyway because they didn't get the security updates?
Two wrongs don't make a right.
It would be nice if some people like yourself would realize that a good majority of computer users know very little about their computers and really do need software updates, expecially ones that concern security, spoon fed to them. The feature that I suggested is obviously not meant for the user that knows what they are doing. Don't get so damned offended at things taht aren't meant for you.
Well at the end of the day, if a user chooses some sort of automatic update facility so be it, but it's a choice that should always remain with the end user. You can't force things down people's throats just because they don't understand or care how something works. After all where would it end ? Force all drivers of SUVs to undergo environmental re-education and have their cars converted to run on steam ?
1.You can't force an update on anyone. And actually as a Mac user I am so so glad. Imagine being forced into updates like many of the 10.3.xs which wiped out Firewire drives or others which messed up Apache or security updates which broke AFP or SMB connectivity, Java, gave longgggg login times, and all sorts of instability.
2. If a power failiure or error occurs during the install it could cause serious problems and data loss.
3. The user could have customized the OS in some way as to make an updater break and cause data loss and even hardware damage
4. Someone could hijack the software update session or make the machine connect to a bad site and download malware instead of an update.
5. It would nice if some people like yourself stopped endlessly trying to punish Windows users and talk to them like second class citizens who need software updates spoon feeding to them. It's just silly.
Blender ? Blender as in the 3d app ?
You got to be kidding.
Worst interface ever! I think I have used most major 3d apps, Maya, Soft, LW etc but I can't do anything in Blender. It is a disaster.
All Apple need to do is FIX the Finder instead of letting it rot as the buggy mess it currently is.
What the FOSS world needs to do (please read)
on
VLC & European Patents
·
· Score: 4, Interesting
...is just ignore patents, carry on regardless and make great software.
I know it all seems terribly seriously and gloomy, but when you have bad laws the only way they are killed or rendered impotent is if a large chunk of people reject it in everyday life and that's what people need to (carry on) doing. The FOSS community needs to harden it's resolve, stop flipflopping around and whining and just stay true to it's goals.
The 'law' has failed many many people throughout history and delivered incredible injustices and attrocities on humanity. It is not an absolute righteousness handed down by God or whatever creator you believe or don't belive in. It has certainely failed the FOSS movement, which needs to start looking beyond whatever the current law is now.
I suspect VLC and MPlayer are trying to drum up some sympathy and are shooting themselves in the foot a little bit with their "it will all end soon" messages (great software though they both are). And remember it was always pointed out to Slashdot by some here that Europe would not be the bastion of justice and morality some in the US thought it would be when it came to patents etc. Unfortunately the EU is riddled with corruption.
Just go forth and continue to make your software and distribute it by whatever means necessary. Because if you really believe in your heart you would let nothing or no one stop you.
Slashdot Mirror
Sure you can, if that's how the software is supposed to work.
Self modifying executable software without any user intervention is far worse problem that the one you are trying to solve.
If a power failiure or error occurs during the install it could cause serious problems and data loss.
Then maybe they should figure out how to make updates that don't do that...which would be a good thing anyway.
You can't do that either; as soon as the software updater starts to write and the power goes off the end user could have a big problem including corrupted data, unbootable system, damaged HDs etc.
There are many people in the world on key meters (not a bill for electricity) that means if you don't keep it topped up it just goes off until you buy more. A software update should always take place at the time of the end user's choosing therefore.
Hardware damage from a security patch? I think you exaggerate...
Not neccessarily from a security patch, but certainely a software update could in theory damage hardware yes, easily. I would call some of Apple's updates capable of hardware damage. But it would be very possible to write a malupdater say for graphics drivers which fried the graphics card by over clocking.
But even if it didn't fry the hardware or the electric didn't cut out during the install you are trusting the vendor of said update 100% to produce a flawless update, which would be wrong.
Like someone's machine being hijacked anyway because they didn't get the security updates?
Two wrongs don't make a right.
It would be nice if some people like yourself would realize that a good majority of computer users know very little about their computers and really do need software updates, expecially ones that concern security, spoon fed to them. The feature that I suggested is obviously not meant for the user that knows what they are doing. Don't get so damned offended at things taht aren't meant for you.
Well at the end of the day, if a user chooses some sort of automatic update facility so be it, but it's a choice that should always remain with the end user. You can't force things down people's throats just because they don't understand or care how something works. After all where would it end ? Force all drivers of SUVs to undergo environmental re-education and have their cars converted to run on steam ?
1.You can't force an update on anyone. And actually as a Mac user I am so so glad. Imagine being forced into updates like many of the 10.3.xs which wiped out Firewire drives or others which messed up Apache or security updates which broke AFP or SMB connectivity, Java, gave longgggg login times, and all sorts of instability.
2. If a power failiure or error occurs during the install it could cause serious problems and data loss.
3. The user could have customized the OS in some way as to make an updater break and cause data loss and even hardware damage
4. Someone could hijack the software update session or make the machine connect to a bad site and download malware instead of an update.
5. It would nice if some people like yourself stopped endlessly trying to punish Windows users and talk to them like second class citizens who need software updates spoon feeding to them. It's just silly.
And that's just off the top of my head
Blender ? Blender as in the 3d app ? You got to be kidding. Worst interface ever! I think I have used most major 3d apps, Maya, Soft, LW etc but I can't do anything in Blender. It is a disaster. All Apple need to do is FIX the Finder instead of letting it rot as the buggy mess it currently is.
You aint mounting FTP as r/w buddy.
...is just ignore patents, carry on regardless and make great software.
I know it all seems terribly seriously and gloomy, but when you have bad laws the only way they are killed or rendered impotent is if a large chunk of people reject it in everyday life and that's what people need to (carry on) doing. The FOSS community needs to harden it's resolve, stop flipflopping around and whining and just stay true to it's goals.
The 'law' has failed many many people throughout history and delivered incredible injustices and attrocities on humanity. It is not an absolute righteousness handed down by God or whatever creator you believe or don't belive in. It has certainely failed the FOSS movement, which needs to start looking beyond whatever the current law is now.
I suspect VLC and MPlayer are trying to drum up some sympathy and are shooting themselves in the foot a little bit with their "it will all end soon" messages (great software though they both are). And remember it was always pointed out to Slashdot by some here that Europe would not be the bastion of justice and morality some in the US thought it would be when it came to patents etc. Unfortunately the EU is riddled with corruption.
Just go forth and continue to make your software and distribute it by whatever means necessary. Because if you really believe in your heart you would let nothing or no one stop you.